Constant Max Verstappen 'complaining' pinned to one key factor

Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has attributed Max Verstappen's constant "complaining" about the new power unit regulations to Red Bull's struggles, insisting he would not be making negative comments if he were winning.

It has been a difficult start to 2026 for Verstappen, who crashed in qualifying in Australia before recovering to sixth in the race, only to then retire from the Chinese Grand Prix following an ERS coolant fault.

After a strong and smooth pre-season, things have quickly unravelled for Red Bull as it begins to experience issues with its power unit.

Red Bull facing problems early in the year was to be expected; however, the Dutchman has been highly critical of F1's new regulations and his dissatisfaction with them.

He has referred to F1's rules as "like Formula E on steroids" and a "joke", with his complaints only intensifying as the season has progressed.

However, in Montoya's eyes, the four-time world champion is simply playing "the game" in trying to get something he does not like changed.

Asked if he sees F1 and Formula E being compared more often following Verstappen's comments, Montoya exclusively told RacingNews365: "No, I think if Max was winning all the races, he wouldn't be complaining. I think it's just venting, and it is different. 

"But for me, to complain because now you have the battery push instead of the wing opening — it's the same thing at the end of the day; you still accelerate more than you're supposed to. When I raced in F1, we didn't have anything. 

"In IndyCar, we had push-to-pass — that was extra boost. But the reality of it is to make a better show. So I think people don't understand the theory behind it. People listen too much to the drivers, and they forget there's always a political reason behind drivers' comments. 

"When you don't like something and it's a disadvantage for you, then you try to figure out a way to ruin it for everybody else — it's just genuine. 

"You look at it: why is Mercedes complaining that the starts are unsafe, or Carlos [Sainz] doing that, while Ferrari is saying the starts are perfect? It's the name of the game, you know? You need to complain and whine."

F1 should stop Verstappen comments

On his own podcast, Montoya said he believes F1 should put a stop to drivers making such negative comments in public.

With Verstappen having such a significant following, the Colombian believes his negativity is "damaging" to F1.

Discussing if Verstappen's comments are damaging to Red Bull, Montoya replied: "I mean, it's just venting. I do a podcast, and I said on the podcast that F1 shouldn't allow that. 

"It's okay to have a comment, an opinion — I'm not saying don't have an opinion — but it shouldn't be damaging to the sport you're in."